Also exclusive to GAME in the UK and Gamestop in Ireland is the Buccaneer Edition features a figurine, artbook, soundtrack, extra in-game content and a collector's box.

All other UK retailers will offer The Skull Edition, which swaps the collector's box for a jumbo steel case.

Finally, the Black Chest Edition is available to order exclusively from Ubisoft's online Uplay store, also adding a 55cm diorama of lead character Captain Edward on the Jackdaw's Bow, a world map and black flag, plus all other in-game bonus content.

Also announced was a VIP program called 'The Watch', which is available with pre-orders from GAME, Amazon, GameStop in Ireland or Uplay.

'The Watch' is a portal that provides further, exclusive insight into the Assassin's Creed universe, and to take part in an exclusive quest designed for VIP members. Fans can also take part in online discussions and upload and share content.

Confirmed last month, Assassin's Creed 4 will be set in the Caribbean in 1715, with players taking control of Edward Kenway, the grandfather of Assassin's Creed 3 protagonist Connor Kenway.

Said to be the biggest Assassin's Creed game yet, it will feature 50 unique locations including the cities of Havana, Kingston and Nassau, as well as fishing villages, smugglers' coves, plantations and jungles.

With Desmond's story concluded, the player themselves will assume the hero in the present day setting, working for Abstergo and researching Kenway's backstory.

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will release November 1 in Europe and October 29 in North America on Xbox 360, PC, Wii U, the PS3 and PS4.